Telephone handset supporting fixture



June 14, 1949. R R, MAT IESON 2,473,106

TELEPHONE HANDSET SUPPORTING FIXTURE Filed Dec. 14, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet1 III/ g \MEiIIIIIIIIIIIIIIWIIIWIIIIIIIEQEQM Jime 14, 1949.

R. R. m m-mason: TELEPHONE HANDSET SUPPORTING FIXTURE Filed Dec. 14,1945 2 Sheets$heet 2 Il'llll.

*INVENTQR Patented June 14, 1949 TELEPHONE HANDSET SUPPORTING FIXTURRoderick R. Mathieson, Grosse Pointe Park, Mich. Application December14, 1945, .Serial No. 634,940

7 Claims.

.The present invention relates to telephone fixtures and aims to providea novel and improved device of this character for supporting thereceiver and transmitter unit of a telephone in a position forconvenient use by a person comfortably seated with both hands free forexaming papers, etc., while carrying on a conversation over the phone.

Another object of the invention is to provide a receiver and transmitterunit supporting fixture separate and movable with respect to the base'unit of the telephone, both to various posltions on a desk or toanother desk, table or the like without disturbing the base unit of thetelephone, thereby obviating the necessity of handling the heavy andcumbersome base unit of. the .phone when moving and placing said fixturein position for convenient use of thereceiver and transmitter unit.

A further object of the invention is to construct a receiver andtransmitter unit supporting fixture .in such a manner that thedistribution of weight of various parts is such that it is .notnecessary to provide a heavy base plate or .securing means to hold thefixture in upright position against accidental tipping over, therebyproviding a relatively light movable device which can be easily movedabout for convenient use of the telephone receiving and transmitterunit.

A still further object of the invention .is to provide a bracket on thefixture for engaging the receiver and transmitter unit of :a telephone,said bracket having thereon opposed gripping faces for .permitting quickand convenient placing or removing of the telephone unit thereon ortherefrom, the opposed faces being of a nature whereby the weight of theunitapplies the gripping force for holding the same against movement onthe bracket.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a telephonebase-supporting fixture in addition to and separate from the receiverand transmitter unit fixture, which has thereon a hinge-weighted arm tobe manually swung to either of two positions to engage or disengage thecircuit-making and breaking buttons of the telephone base unit, thuspermitting the receiver and transmitter unit to remain on its supportingfixture upon termination of a telephone conversation if such is desired.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will be apparent asthe description .proceeds, the invention resides in .the constructionand arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and :claimed, itbeing understood thatchanges can be made within the scope of "what isclaimed, without departing from the spirit of the-invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, herein:

Figure 1 is-a perspective view of my improved fixtures, showing the:same in .use,

Figure .2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the fixturesupporting the base unit of the telephone, showing said base unit inplace thereon,

Figure 3 is aside elevation of the receiver and transmitter-unitsupporting fixture, showing the base plate and upstanding post insection,

,Eigure 4 is aplan view nflthe fixture as shown in Figure .3,

Figure 5 is .a fragmentary elevation with the gripping faces of thebracket engaging a receiver and transmitter --unit .of a telephone, saidview being takenon the roppositeside from that shown in ZEigure3,

Figure 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of Figurel5,

Figure 7 is a. horizontalcross section taken on line 1-1 ofLE'igureB,and

Figure 8 is across section taken on line 8-8 of Figure 3.

Referring .to the drawings, .the letter A designates the fixture thatsupports the receiver and transmitter unit of the telephone, while theother fixture that supports the base unit with the dialing andcircuit-making and breaking mechanism thereon is indicated by letter B.By providing.differentfixtures for theseparate parts of the telephone,the fixture B which supports the base may remain substantiallystationary withinearms reach for dialing calls and for openingand-closing. the circuit to the line; while the other fixture 1A,supporting the receiver and transmitter unit in elevated adjustedposition, may be movedabout towherever the unit may be most convenientlyused.

The-fixture -B consists of a box-like body structure ll] into which isplaced the base unit of the telephone with the sides of the boxextending slightly upward to enclose the lower portion of the base .ofthe telephone and obstructing from view .the pads atthe corners thereofupon which the base normally rests. As the pads of the base rest on thebottom wall of the box I0, other'pads :H are provided on the undersideof said bottom for engaging-the surface upon which the lfixture rests.to preventmarring or scratching such suriace.

At the rear of the box I'D an-elevated platform.

I2 is arranged on the same horizontal line as the upper edges of thesides of the box and has depending flanges extending therefrom to thehorizontal line of the bottom of the box. From this platform l2, anupstanding rigid post I3 extends, which is arced forward as it risesupward, and which has pivoted to the upper end thereof, as at l4, amanually operated weighted arm l5 adapted to be swun to positions todepress or release the circuit-making and breaking buttons on the baseunit to close or open the line. When raised, the arm I5 swings slightlypast the vertical line prior to engaging a stop where it remains untilmanually swung downwardly to depress the electric circuit buttons.

The other fixture A has a relatively large circular base plate 20provided with a layer of leather, felt or the like 2i attached to theunder surface thereof in any well-known satisfactory manner forpreventing scratching or marrin of the surface upon which it rests.Either integral with the base plate 20 or secured thereto considerablyofi center and adjacent the periphery thereof, is an upstanding post 22of a size and configuration for providing a hand-gripping portion tolift or slide, the fixture from or about the surface of a desk or thelike.

In addition to providing a hand-gripping element for the fixture, thepost 22 adjustably supports a substantially light angularly formed arm23, which consists of a lightweight rod bent intermediate its ends witha ball 24 fixed to its lateral offset upper angled end 25, while arelatively long fiat-sided portion 26, which may b square in crosssection, is provided on the other or vertical angled portion 21 of thebent rod. The post 22 is hollow to receive the lower end of the angle 21of the rod and the fiat-sided portion 26 thereof with said flat-sidedportion slidably mounted in a bushing 28 fixed in th hollow of thepost'by a set screw 29, said bushing having the opening therethrough ofa shape similar to the cross section of the fiat-sided portion forpreventing turning of the angularly formed arm with respect to theoffset of the post on the base plate.

On the upper end of the hollow post 22 is mounted a cap 30 having a borecentrally thereof through which passes the angle 21 of the angularlyformed arm. A reduced extension is provided on the cap to be received inthe hollow of the post 22 which aligns the cap centrally of the post.Threaded in the wall of the post 22 is a winged set screw 3| which alsoprotrudes through the opening 32 in the reduced extension of the cap 30to engage the angle 21 for locking the angularly formed arm 23 in anadjusted vertical position and for retaining the cap 30 in place on thepost 22. The fiat-sided portion 26 is of a size that it can not passthrough the bore in the cap 30 and thus provides a stop for limitingupward vertical adjustment of the angularly formed arm 23 on the post22.

A socket 33 in a head 34 formed on a bracket 35 receives the ball 24 onthe outer end of the laterally extending angle 25 of the arm 23 forsupporting the bracket and permitting swivel movement thereof to variousadjustable positions. Located in the head 34 is a fiber insert 36 thatengages the ball 24 to obtain sufiicient friction to hold the bracketagainst accidental turning movement on the ball 24 when once adjusted toposition. The ball is held in the socket and against the fiber insert 36by a flanged ring member 31 threaded on the head 34 and in engagementwith said ball.

The bracket 35 is designed to engage opposite sides of the hand-holdingportion of the receiver and transmitter unit, and takes advantage of thefact that said hand-holding portion is gradually tapered to a greaterthickness at a point intermediate its ends for obtaining a wedglngaction at such increased or greater thickness against opposed faces onthe bracket when said hand-holding portion is placed between saidopposed faces and forced downwardly into frictional contact therewith.

As shown in Figure 7, the hand-holding portion of the receiver andtransmitter unit is curved transversely on one side thereof which isengaged by -a similar curved face 38 on the bracket 35, while theopposite side of said hand-holding portion is substantially fiat andcontacts with a plate 39 also on said bracket, said plate being rigidand in proper spaced relation to the curved face 38 by a connectingportion 40 extending around one side of and out of contact with thehand-holding portion. The space between the curved face 38 and the plate39 is slightly less than the greatest thickness of the hand-holdingportion of the receiver and transmitter unit which permits wedging ofthe hand-holding portion into tight frictional engagement with andbetween the plate and curved face of the bracket. In order to providesurface contact rather than point contact of the curved face 38 andplate 39 with said hand-holding portion, said curved face and plate arearranged at slight angles with respect to one another, said anglerelationship being such that said curved face and plate contact withsaid hand-holding portion throughout practically their entire lengths.

By extending th connecting portion to around by one side of thehand-holding portion of the telephon unit, the other side is left openfor insertion and withdrawal of the instrument. While an open-sidedbracket is necessary in view of the enlarged receiver and transmitterhousings at opposite ends of the unit, yet the structure permits a quickand convenient attachment or detachment of the unit with the leastpossible amount of motion and exertion on the part of the user.

To further prevent accidental displacement of the receiver andtransmitter unit from the bracket 35, said bracket is provided with anextension 4! having spaced ears 42 thereon which lie on opposite sidesof the curved throat portion where the hand-holding portion joins thereceiver. The ears are normally out of contact with the phone instrumentand only come into engagement therewith should a side force beaccidentally applied to the receiver and transmitter unit.

To facilitate handling of the fixture A and at the same time to improvethe appearance thereof, the hand gripping portion of the post 22 iscontoured in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 2, which consists of theprovision of spaced annular recesses 43 and 44 for preventing downwardsliding movement of the post when gripped, while longitudinallyextending spaced grooves 45 are provided for preventing turning movementin the hand grip.

To reduce weight and excessive height, the base plate 20 is stepped downin thickness as it extends away from the post 22, as indicated by thenumeral 46. The surface area covered by the base plate with respect tothe location of the post 22, together with the weight, formation andlocation of associated parts supported by said post in such:thatithesbaserplatez need. not be;

weightedrtorhol'dithezfixture inupri'ght. position;

thus decreasingthez: overall weight anthtl'iereby.

holding any part of the instrument duringjand ensuing conversation. Theuser is thus free to use: both hands in manipulation of papers or othermatters while the telephone: conversation isccontinuing; The offset ofthevpost 2-2: away from the user, and the return ofsthelateral-Lextension 25 -o-f. the arm 23 towardsthe user, gives ample roomfor movement of both arms of the user and does not require that the userassume an uncomfortable cramped position when placing his ear to thereceiver and mouth in close proximity to the transmitter. Should he sodesire, he may rest one arm on the base plate 20, thus further avoidingoverbalancing of the fixture. At the conclusion of the conversation, thefixture A may be easily moved to a position out of way. The weighted arm[5 is swung forwardly and downwardly to depress the switch buttons andbreak the circuit to the telephone.

While two separate fixtures A and B have been shown and described, it isto be noted that the fixture B may be dispensed with. This would merelyrequire the detaching of the receiver and transmitter unit from thebracket 35 and placing said unit in its normal position on the base ofthe telephone upon completion-of a conversation to close the circuit tothe telephone. With this arrangement, certain short conversations may beconducted without the use of the fixture A. However, if at any timeduring a conversation it is desired to use the fixture, the receiver andtransmitter unit may be quickly and conveniently attached thereto andsaid fixture adjusted to a position where the user is most comfortablewith both his hands free for other use.

While the invention has herein been shown and described in detail in aspecific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that changes andmodifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the main features of the invention, and such changes andmodifications are intended to be covered in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A telephone fixture in combination with a receiver and transmitterunit of a telephone having a hand-holding portion between the receiverand transmitter of greater thickness intermediate its ends and graduallydecreasing in thickness as it extends towards the receiver andtransmitter, comprising a supporting bracket with opposed faces rigidlyspaced apart a distance slightly less than the greatest thickness ofsaid hand-holding portion, said opposed faces engaging opposite sides ofsaid hand-holding portion for supporting the receiver and transmitterunit of the telephone, and spaced ears on said bracket extending toopposite sides of the hand-holding portion where it joins the receiverfor preventing excessive lateral movement of the receiver andtransmitter unit with respect to the bracket.

2. A telephone fixture in combination with a receiver and transmitterunit of a telephone having a". hand-holding portion-l between-1 there:-

dinallyromitsopposite: side; comprising. a. bracket havingzaleurvedifacethereon engaging the-curved a substantially sideof:the-hand-holdingsportion;

flat plate engagingsthezfiat-rsidez of the said: handholding: portion;a. connecting. portion extending; around. one" side: of. said: hand-holding portion andirigidly supporting; said fiat plate in spacecbrelationito. said-curved surface'a distance slightly less than the:greatest" thicknessof said-f handholding portion; and spaced ears; onsaid plate. of said bracket extending: to opposite. sides of:

therhand-holdingzportion' where itjoins: the: receiver' for preventing:extensive lateral movement of. the receiver and: transmitter unit with;

respect to the bracket.

3. In a fixture for supporting a telephone hand set having a taperedhandle joining transmitter and receiver units together, a holder for thehand set comprising, a fixture attachment portion, an outer end portion,and a side portion cooperating to form a socket having a laterallyfacing opening to receive the tapered handle of the telephone hand set,said fixture attachment portion and said outer end portion havingopposed surfaces to receive and effect a wedging action with the taperedhandle portion of the telephone hand set, and retainer means on one ofsaid portions positioned to engage the hand set adjacent one of saidunits to prevent move ment of the hand set out of said socket.

4. In a fixture for supporting a telephone hand set having a taperedhandle joining transmitter and receiver units together, a holder for thehand set comprising, a fixture attachment portion, an outer end portion,and a side portion cooperating to form a socket having a laterallyfacing opening to receive the tapered handle of the telephone hand set,said fixture attachment portion and said outer end portion havingopposed surfaces to receive and effect a wedging action with the taperedhandle portion of the telephone hand set, and retainer means on saidouter end portion positioned to engage the hand set adjacent one of saidunits to retain the hand set in said socket.

5. In a fixture for supporting a telephone hand set having a taperedhandle joining transmitter and receiver units together, a holder for thehand set comprising, a fixture attachment portion, an outer end portion,and a side portion cooperating to form a socket having a laterallyfacing opening to receive the tapered handle of the telephone hand set,said fixture attachment portion and said outer end portion havingopposed surfaces to receive and effect a wedging action with the taperedhandle portion of the telephone hand set, and spaced extensions on saidouter end portion to receive a portion of the hand set therebetweenadjacent one of said units to retain the hand set in said socket.

6. In a fixture for supporting a telephone hand set having a taperedhandle joining transmitter and receiver units together, a holder for thehand set comprising, a fixture attachment portion, an outer end portion,and a side portion cooperating to form a socket having a laterallyfacing opening to receive the tapered handle of the telephone hand set,said fixture attachment portion and said outer end portion havingopposed surfaces to receive and effect a wedging action with the taperedhandle portionot the telephone hand set, and a pair of upwardlyextending spaced ears on said end portion to receive the hand settherebetween adjacent one of said units to retain the hand set in saidsocket.

'7. In a fixture for supporting a telephone hand set having a taperedhandle joining transmitter and receiver units together, a holder for thehand set comprising, a fixture attachment portion, a plate portionspaced from and extending above said fixture attachment portion, a sideportion joining said fixture attachment portion and said plate portiontogether cooperating therewith to form a socket having a laterallyfacing opening to receive the tapered handle of the telephone hand set,said fixture attachment portion and said plate portion having opposedsurfaces spaced apart to effect a wedging action with the tapered handleof said hand set, and spaced apart ears on and projecting upwardly.above said plate portion to receive a portion of the hand settherebetween and retain the hand set in said socket.

RODERICK R. MATHIESON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

